the science behind Functional Fragrances: a Q&A with Dr. Anna Persaud

what are Functional Fragrances?

As one of the first brands to introduce a Functional Fragrance to the market - Deep Sleep – we have been pioneering research in this field for over a decade. What we know is that Functional Fragrances interact with real, measurable brain pathways, particularly those within the limbic system and autonomic regulation centres.

how do Functional Fragrances work?

Functional Fragrance can interact with the brain, not just delight the senses. When you inhale scent, aromatic molecules bind to olfactory receptors in the nose, activating the olfactory bulb, the first neural structure to receive smell input, which uniquely bypasses the brain’s sensory relay station, the thalamus. This gives olfaction one of the fastest and most direct sensory routes into circuits that govern emotion, stress, memory and autonomic state.

which brain areas are involved?

Olfactory signals project into the amygdala (emotional salience, threat detection, anxiety and stress signalling), hippocampus (context and emotional memory), hypothalamus (circadian rhythm, hormones, sleep-wake timing and autonomic nervous-system regulation), orbitofrontal cortex (reward, emotional evaluation, wellbeing perception and choice), and the insula (internal body-state awareness, emotional processing and autonomic regulation). These regions are core to the lived experience of feeling alert, safe, calm, connected, or mentally clear. Key regions influenced by olfactory cues also include the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus and orbitofrontal cortex - areas involved in emotion, stress response, circadian rhythm, memory and cognitive regulation.

why do we call them “neuroscents”?

Our Deep Sleep, Stress Check and new fine fragrance, Own Time, are engineered using specific terpenes and sesquiterpenes found in essential oils. These molecules have been shown in human neuroimaging and EEG studies to modulate patterns of arousal, helping to guide the body from high sympathetic alertness into steadier, calmer parasympathetic states – or, depending on the blend, helping shift from cognitive fog into clarity and focus. This is why we call them “neuroscents”: they are fragrances that don’t just smell beautiful, but also work with neural circuits that govern stress, mood, focus and overall autonomic state. Our fragrances are intentionally formulated to work with these pathways, combining terpenes and sesquiterpenes shown in our human neuroimaging studies and EEG research to influence patterns of arousal.

why is This Works entering the neuroscent space?

We are entering because consumers no longer want calming claims - they want calming mechanisms they can feel. Launched from our proprietary Neuro Platform, blending functional fragrance with mindful tactile application behaviours, we believe this marks a major advancement in nervous-system care. Consumers now spend more on fragrance and beauty when products help them feel a different state in their body or mind. They want decompression before sleep, sensory transition cues to mark the close of the day, mood support they can feel, fragrance they can integrate into life, and fine scent that supports how they function at night. Own Time embodies this: a neural transition cue that supports a down-shift from daytime alertness into a softer parasympathetic evening calm without dulling cognition. That’s regulation, not sedation. Neuro-sensory wellbeing is no longer a trend; stress, burnout, and nervous-system overload are shaping how people shop, unwind and sleep. Olfaction is uniquely positioned to answer this, yet the market still lacks neurology-led fragrance formulation, guided rituals that ground arousal, mechanisms that shift state rather than describe it, and luxury that functions in the body, not the label.

talk me through how the new product works.

Own Time expands this mission. It was created as a neural transition cue to help signal to the brain that the day is done, encouraging a shift from daytime alertness into a softer, more regulated evening mindset. It offers intelligent olfaction rather than sedation – a sensory prompt to decompress, reclaim personal time and consciously shift state without dulling cognition. Own Time has leveraged seven years of neuroscientific research to develop a woody, ambery and aromatic scent that lingers way into the night. This specific terpene blend can tell the brain that it's safe to let go, working in harmony with your body's natural rhythm to promote better-quality sleep. By harnessing our sense of smell with a neuroscientific, clinically proven, potent blend of terpenes, UV-activated molecules and odourless sesquiterpenes, you can reclaim those precious evening hours.

how does this differ from typical This Works products?

Our portfolio was first built around sleep and therapeutic evening calming blends. Own Time is an elevation into fine fragrance without losing function. Traditional This Works blends help you sleep better. Own Time helps you transition evening arousal first, then sleep better as the natural result. It sequences state change, not ambience.

how should someone use or apply a Functional Fragrance?

Application varies by product format. For our pillow sprays, we recommend spritzing your pillow and bedsheet (if desired) just before bed, allowing you to inhale the fragrance as you fall asleep for maximum benefit. To amplify the effect, the fragrance can be layered through our bodycare range. Using the deep sleep beauty soak or deep sleep shower gel during your evening bath or shower helps warm the body and prepare it for sleep, and following with the deep sleep body whip or deep sleep beauty oil nourishes the skin while reinforcing the olfactory cues that support relaxation. Layering Functional Fragrances throughout your routine helps maintain consistent olfactory signalling, supporting your body’s natural circadian rhythm and optimising their functional benefits.